How My Fiance-to-be Became My Ex

Synopsis

On my dad's 60th birthday, Charles Bennett walked in with Emily Carter and had her sit in the host's seat right next to me. That chair had a red napkin my mom had folded herself, with my name on the back. Dad looked at the young woman, who had red-rimmed eyes, a bit taken aback. "Who's this?" Charles pulled out the chair for her, as if he were at home. "Her name's Emily Carter. She's basically family," he said. All the relatives at the table fell into silence. Emily looked down, gripping the hem of her dress, and said softly, "Mr. and Mrs. Winters, I don't have any family. Sorry if I'm disturbing you today." Charles took her wrist and turned to me. "Sophie, your family's so lively. Let her see what a real home feels like. Don't be so cold." I looked at the chair she was sitting in and suddenly chuckled. He probably forgot. Tonight's birthday party was supposed to be a preview of our engagement party.